the social ecology of resilience: families, schools

Michael Ungar, Ph.D.

School of Social Work, Dalhousie University

Twitter @MichaelUngarPhD www.michaelungar.com

www.resilienceresearch.org

The Social Ecology of Resilience: Families,

Schools, Communities and Service Providers

Thinker in Residence Series Commissioner for Children

and Young People Western Australia

2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey

#1. When we shape a child’s social ecology, we influence resilience

‘Nurture trumps nature’ ‘Grit’ and ‘Perseverance’ can be taught

5 things we know about resilience

#2. The more troubled a individual, the more our efforts to help count

Resources have a differential impact on resilience depending on the level of exposure to adversity

5 things we know about resilience

#3. It takes a family, a community, and a school to nurture resilience

Resources are cumulative Ecologically complex, multi-level interventions are often most helpful when exposure to adversity is high

5 things we know about resilience

#4. Context and culture influence which protective processes have the most impact on outcomes

5 things we know about resilience

#5. Long-term, not all adaptations are advantageous to sustaining resilience

Resilience is responsive to sociohistorical and developmental factors Adaptive and maladaptive behaviours can both be successful coping strategies depending on the context in which they are used

5 things we know about resilience

In the context of exposure to significant adversity resilience is the capacity of individuals to navigate their way to the psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources that sustain their well being, and… their capacity individually and in groups to negotiate for these resources to be provided… in culturally meaningful ways.

Psychological Resilience is…

Labels given to High-risk Youth by community/families

Loser Charity case Brat Stupid Victim Slut Drop-out Thief Little f—er

Labels given to High-risk Youth by professionals

Conduct disordered Parentified A.D.H.D Depressed Suicidal Borderline Antisocial

Bi-polar Emotionally disturbed Dysfunctional Resistant Lacking impulse control Difficult

Labels High-risk Youth prefer Leader Tough Gang member Dealer Sexy Survivor

Stud Street kid Helper Drinker Fighter

Contextual Risk Individual Risk

Service Use Experience

Resilience Functional Outcomes

.37*

-.30*

-.17* -.38* .33* .07

-.03

-.21* .53*

.18* -.14 .13

Life time

Service Use Accumulation

Service Use Experience

Resilience

Functional Outcomes

.37*

.33*

Nine Things All Children Need 1. Structure 2. Consequences 3. Parent-child

connections 4. Lots and lots of

nurturing relationships

5. A powerful identity 6. A sense of control

7. A sense of belonging/cultural roots/spirituality/life purpose

8. Fair and just treatment

9. Physical and psychological safety

© Michael Ungar, 2011 www.michaelungar.com

When a resource is unavailable, inaccessible, or potentially

harmful, children will cope as best they can with what they

have.

It is always better to offer substitute ways of coping

rather than trying to suppress troubling behaviours

Michael Ungar, Ph.D.

Killam Professor, School of Social Work, Dalhousie University

Twitter @MichaelUngarPhD www.michaelungar.com

www.resilienceresearch.org

Thank you!